Occam's Razor....even more evidence points to the battery being drained...
I don't think my friend knew how to jump properly, after looking online (yes, I really am starting at the beginning...now I know how to jump a car) I realized that he connected the negative cable to my battery instead of grounding it. I'll leave it to y'all to tell me how (or if) bad that is ;)
Today I had another friend come to try again. Well the good news is my battery is so dead, I didn't even get indicator lights (or headlights, etc). So needless to say, a 15min charge, even with revving the engine wasn't enough. Didn't even light up the indicators.
After poking around some mercedessource videos (trying to make myself feel better and get pumped for my first wave of DIY repairs) I found one about "persistent battery drains" and something clicked.
When I picked up the car, the rear dome wouldn't go out, so i unplugged it. Yesterday, while trying to start the car, my gal noticed that the rear passenger foot light (whatchacallit?) in the door didn't seem to go off....don't know how long it's been like that (since i yanked the dome?) oy.
So. Immediate problem is battery...then I'll go chasing the gremlin. I don't know how to slow charge my car, it's on the street a couple of blocks away (i dont know those neighbors). Time for a new battery?
I'm assuming it's pretty darn easy to replace?
Bosch? Or Optima? Do the Optimas fit? Seem to recall hearing something about them being a little big, but fitting with modification?
Also...on my mechanics report he wrote that the battery is not secured...is there some sort of bracket over the top that's missing? Where do I start with that one?
Anyway...now I have a treasure trove of info! Thanks to everyone with all these great suggestions.
Hope I'm on the right path now....
Caitlin in Santa Fe
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "CaitlinDean" <tinymachine@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks so much to the folks who've already made some suggestions, I thought it might be useful to share some more details....
>
> 1) I do know about the glow plug cycle, and have been diligent with it :)
>
> 2) I'm in Santa Fe, NM...hasn't been too cold yet, though on cold mornings she's been starting a little rough, but definitely turning over. She did sit for 2 days (usually drive each day).
>
> 3) The starter hasn't sounded sluggish or weakening, but I'm no expert...
>
> 4) At first, when I turned the key, I got no sound (I waited for the glow plugs as usual, the warning lights came on, went off like normal, radio came on, lights were in OFF). Tried it a few times, same thing.
>
> 5) Called my friend with the 300TD for a jump (he brought his truck, and good quality cables) and still no sound, and no turning over. So the jump didn't work, at least at this point.
>
> 6) Battery...reported by previous owner to be fairly new, looks new, looks really clean, no corrosion visible. Though I haven't checked the other cable mentioned. I'll see if I can get pics up.
>
> 7) Went back inside, did some online poking, found a few suggestions on mercedessource...
>
> 8) Jiggled the ignition, just in case it was a loose connection...
>
> 9) Put her in neutral...my mechanic reported "shifter link bushings missing and rigged" (awesome.) So was giving that a shot...
>
> 10) and either after 8 or 9, the clicking started after turning the key. I was careful to not leave it turned long, but I did try it a few times and got the same thing (I'm an optimist).
>
>
> Keep in mind I'm pretty new at this (like utterly and completely)...so I don't even really have tools yet :) And, we had a new roof put in and had to park on the street...so she's a couple of blocks away, and not in my driveway.
>
> Sooooo...there's the long of it. Wondering if maybe I had 2 things wrong...? Or...my starter just up and failed on me?
>
> Wish me luck!
>
> Caitlin in Santa Fe
>
>
> --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, Bogy Wan Kenobi <polespearbogy@> wrote:
> >
> > CD:
> >
> > You might want to check your battery terminals and cables. When jiggling wires makes a difference like that then dirt or corrosion etc. is indicated. There is a lot to be said for clean connections when you draw nearly 1000 amps during starting. And there is a heavy cable from the chassis to the engine down by the starter. Check that out too and clean every contact surface until they shine.
> >
> > Bogy.
> >
> > --- On Sun, 10/30/11, CaitlinDean <tinymachine@> wrote:
> > <SNIPPAGE>
> > I jiggled the ignition a little, I tried starting in neutral, and now it just clicks rapidly when I turn the key ... though it didn't even do that before the jiggling.
> >
>
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